Jack Armstrong was a strong and caring man who walked the walked and stood tall for his values, his community, and his nation. He cared about his community through his volunteer efforts at the Ahwatukee Recreation Center (ARC) and the American Legion. He supported his country through his military and government service. Jack advocated for and helped his Legion Post 64 in more ways than he knew. His strength and sincerity were a shining example of what is right and good about our nation.
A few years ago I began meeting with a small group of Legionnaires from Post 64 at the Denny’s restaurant in Chandler, AZ. Jack, Al, Bill and I put our heads together to brainstorm and how we could increase membership and engagement at our local post. I truly appreciated Jack’s quiet command and thoughtful ideas on how we could help our fellow veterans and the youth of in the Phoenix area. He could always be counted on to man the Post’s information/PR tables at public events and assist at Post meetings, social mixers, and fundraising functions. Jack was a true patriot and a leader who was liked and respected by everyone in the American Legion family.
Jack was an intelligent man who wanted to write a book and encouraged me to start a Writer’s Group at the ARC. Below is the email he sent me on May 4, 2023. Together we started a bi-weekly ARC Writer’s Group meeting in July 2023. He was a great inspiration to me and I enjoyed listening to his stories and experiences from his Army Corps of Engineering days in Vietnam to his Office of Inspector General audit days in the DoD.
“Brenda,
The ARC is trying to start a writer’s group. Would you be interested in joining and taking the leadership? I plan to join if the ARC can find a leader. I have always wanted to write a book on fraud in Iraq and Afghanistan, but I am not very creative when it comes to writing. I have written a couple hundred audit reports but nothing creative. Let me know if you are interested.
-Jack”
Jack was an active supporter of his community and a leader with a positive message of unity and respect. He lived authentically and was grateful for all that he had. Jack Armstrong embodied the values and pillars of the American Legion which are: Rehabilitation for Veterans, Youth & Children, Americanism, and National Defense. He not only lived these values- he boldly took action to make the world a better place.
As Commander of American Legion Post 64, I was honored to have worked with Jack Armstrong on countless efforts and events that supported our “Veterans Helping Veterans” focus. We will honor and remember Jack in the best way we can- by continuing his legacy and great work and by being positive, helpful, and caring volunteers in the local community.